On Friday I delivered my sweet but stressed Norwegian Elkhound, Nina, to a trainer in

Virginia for a much-needed behavioral boot camp.  To make the most of my time sans-dog,

I inaugurated my three weeks of freedom with a series of excursions to Warrenton, The Plains

and Maryland's western shore.  Road trips are a great way for a curious, visual or adventurous

soul to satisfy his or her inner explorer.  And better yet, you avoid the airport … which is like

sticking hot needles in ones eye these days.  With a little planning and the right companion,

2 days and 3 nights plus a few hundred miles can be just the escape you've needed. 

Summer weekends are here, DC urbanites.  Get packed and get going! 

 

 

 

 

I stayed at The Black Horse Inn on Friday.  The perfect setting for

a Virginia bed-and-breakfast with rolling hills and grazing horses.

 

 

 

A view of the property's north side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The stables are a short walk from the main house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like everything on the property, the stalls are nicely detailed and well maintained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had dinner at The Rail Stop on Friday night in The Plains.

A casual spot once owned by local Robert Duvall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After dinner we walked across the street to Forlano’s Market and had a glass of wine on the front porch.

This market/restaurant is the perfect addition to Main Street – charming, unpretentious and filled with

locals and visitors alike.  Dinner here will be on my itinerary the next time I visit hunt country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I planned on a quiet afternoon in old town Warrenton, but as it turned out, Saturday was the town’s

annual spring festival replete with bands, booths and lots of interesting characters.  Classic people-watching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking down S. 3rd Street to E. Lee Street. 

I love the architecture, history and intimacy of southern towns.

 

 

 

 

We had lunch at The Iron Bridge Wine Co. on Main Street.  Delicious food and

great wine in a handsome setting with excellent service to boot.  Worth a trip.

 

 

On the way out of town, the clever signage for Tri County Feeds caught my eye. 

So much so that we pulled over to take a look inside.  In fact, the company

is a retailer specializing in riding gear and services for the equine set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m no great equestrian, but if I were, I would definitely buy this saddle and outfit.  So chic!

 

 

Sunday required a change in gears with a drive to Maryland and a cruise up the Potomac back to

DC via boat.  I commented at one point that the shoreline reminded me of Lake Minnetonka.

That is until I saw a little estate called Mount Vernon perched on a hill on the Virginia side.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once up the river in DC, we stopped for awhile to enjoy the views.  Where else can you drift on a

boat on a beautiful day with little water traffic and gaze at the Lincoln and Washington Memorials?!?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wrapping up the perfect easy-breezy weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking forward to more local adventures while my canine kid is at camp!

 

 

Tricia (and Nina) xo